Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing deployable and collapsible Quadrifilar Helical Antennas (QHA) on small satellites to improve communications in low earth orbit satellites. Monopole antennas are very popular for use on small satellites, generally because they are relatively easy to attach. By using circularly polarized antennas for the spacecraft and the ground station, polarization losses are virtually eliminated. The QHA can be designed to have a wide range of circularly polarized antenna patterns. Low power transmitters are employed on the small satellite to be consistent with the available energy. The communication link budgets are dependent on good radiation pattern characteristics for the small satellite downlink where higher data rates are required. Quadrifilar Helical Antennas can be collapsed and stowed inside a module to mount inside typical cubes known as 1U through 27U size small satellites. After launch from the rocket, the QHA can be deployed to its stored memory shape.

Abstract: A communications apparatus. The apparatus comprises a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, a first serial configuration of a first power amplifier and a first matching network for producing a first signal, the first power amplifier operating in a first frequency band, a second serial configuration of a second power amplifier and a second matching network for producing a second signal, the second power amplifier operating in a second frequency band, a first switching element for switchably supplying the first signal or the second signal to the transmitting antenna, a first and a second receiver; and a second switching element for switchably directing a signal received at the receiving antenna to the first receiver or the second receiver.

Abstract: A modular communications apparatus. The apparatus comprises a dielectric substrate, a radiating structure disposed on a surface of the substrate, and an electronics module disposed within the dielectric substrate. The electronics module comprises a power amplifier and signal receiving components. The apparatus further comprises fixed length transmission lines connecting the radiating structure and the electronics module, a length of each transmission line selected to present a desired impedance at an input and an output terminal of each transmission line without requiring separate impedance matching elements.

Abstract: A communications apparatus comprising a first antenna, a first serial configuration of a first power amplifier and a first matching network, a second serial configuration of a second power amplifier and a second matching network, a switching element for switchably selecting the first or the second serial configuration for supplying a signal to the first antenna, the first and the second power amplifiers supplying a respective first signal of a first power and a second signal of a second power different than the first power to the first antenna for transmitting and the first and the second matching networks presenting respective first and second impedances to the respective first and second power amplifiers, the first and the second impedances responsive respectively to a power-related parameter of the first and the second signals.

Abstract: An antenna for a communications device having configurable elements controlled to modify an antenna impedance and/or an antenna resonant frequency to improve performance of the communications device. The antenna impedance is controlled to substantially match to an output impedance of a power amplifier that supplies the antenna with a signal for transmission. The antenna resonant frequency is controlled to overcome the effects of various operating conditions that can detune the antenna or in response to an operable frequency band.

Abstract: An antenna for a communications device having configurable elements controlled to modify an antenna impedance and/or an antenna resonant frequency to improve performance of the communications device. The antenna impedance is controlled to substantially match to an output impedance of a power amplifier that supplies the antenna with a signal for transmission. The antenna resonant frequency is controlled to overcome the effects of various operating conditions that can detune the antenna or in response to an operable frequency band.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helical antenna comprising two pairs of filars having unequal lengths and phase quadrature signals propagating thereon. A conductive H-shaped impedance matching element matches a source impedance to an antenna impedance. The impedance matching element having a feed terminal at the center thereof from which current is supplied to the two filars of each filar pair disposed about an edge of the impedance matching element and symmetric with respect to a center of the impedance matching element. The impedance matching element further comprises a reactive element for matching the antenna and source impedances.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helical antenna comprising two pairs of filars having unequal lengths and phase quadrature signals propagating thereon. A conductive H-shaped impedance matching element matches a source impedance to an antenna impedance. The impedance matching element having a feed terminal at the center thereof from which current is supplied to the two filars of each filar pair disposed about an edge of the impedance matching element and symmetric with respect to a center of the impedance matching element. The impedance matching element further comprises a reactive element for matching the antenna and source impedances.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helical antenna comprising two pairs of filars having unequal lengths and phase quadrature signals propagating thereon. A conductive H-shaped impedance matching element matches a source impedance to an antenna impedance. The impedance matching element having a feed terminal at the center thereof from which current is supplied to the two filars of each filar pair disposed about an edge of the impedance matching element and symmetric with respect to a center of the impedance matching element. The impedance matching element further comprises a reactive element for matching the antenna and source impedances.

Abstract: An antenna operative in a plurality of frequency bands. The antenna comprises first and second high band resonators, a resonating meanderline and a counterpoise. A ground return conductively couples one or more regions of the counterpoise to the meanderline. One or more of the first resonating element, the second resonating element and the resonating meanderline are coupled by magnetic and/or capacitive coupling to provide operation in the plurality of frequency bands.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helical antenna comprising two pairs of filars having unequal lengths and phase quadrature signals propagating thereon. A disk-like impedance matching element disposed at a lower end of the antenna matches a source impedance to an antenna impedance. In certain embodiments a first crossbar connector on a substrate disposed at an upper end of the antenna electrically connects two helical filars to form a first filar pair and a second crossbar connector disposed on the substrate connects two filars to form a second filar pair.

Abstract: A shield for shielding radio frequency emissions being emitted from a communications antenna. The shield has a first layer of material having the physical property of generally absorbing radio frequency electromagnetic emissions and a second layer of material having the physical property of generally reflecting radio frequency emissions. The first layer of material is positioned between the second layer of material and the communications antenna. Therefore, the first layer of material absorbs a portion of the radio frequency emissions from the communications antenna, and the second layer of material reflects back the remaining emissions to the first layer of material. Therefore, the first layer absorbs a further portion of the remaining emissions. A layer of absorbing material is placed between the combined first & second layers and a material that is transparent to radio frequency emissions and through which the communications antenna radiates radio frequency energy.

Abstract: A mobile phone including a handset having a transceiver adapted for selective communication in cellular and satellite modes. The handset includes a cellular antenna adapted to receive cellular wavelength signals, a connector for a satellite antenna, and a switch adapted to selectively connect either the cellular antenna or the connector to the transceiver. The satellite antenna is adapted for selective connection to the connector of the mobile phone handset, the satellite antenna being adapted to receive satellite wavelength signals. The satellite antenna includes a cavity in a first portion adapted to receive and frictionally secure to the cellular antenna, and a plunger is adapted to engage the switch to disconnect the cellular antenna from, and connect the satellite antenna to, the transceiver when the satellite antenna is secured to the handset connector.

Abstract: Coaxial coupling systems and methods couple a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces. A first center plate and a first surrounding plate are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface. The first center plate is electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate is electrically connected to the first shield conductor.

Abstract: A transmitter provides a radio wave with selectable polarization. The transmitter includes antenna feeds that generate orthogonal radio waves having non-linear polarizations that corresponds to the selectable phase relationships of a first and a second modulating signals. A spacial combination of the non-linear radio waves to produce a linearly polarized radio wave that has an orientation corresponding to a selected phase relationship.

Abstract: A wireless telephone having a wireless communication transceiver, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and a controller connected to both the wireless communication transceiver and the GPS receiver, wherein the controller intelligently adapts its GPS data maintenance schedule according to a unique set of indicators derived from the wireless telephone's operating conditions.

Abstract: A through-the-window coaxial coupler coaxially couples Radio Frequency (RF) signals between the inside and outside surfaces of a window. The through-the-window coaxial coupler includes an inside portion that mounts on the inside surface of a window, and an outside portion that mounts on the outside surface of the window and couples to an outside antenna. An inside electronic package couples to the inside portion of the through-the-window coaxial coupler, and is located adjacent the inside portion and remote from a radiotelephone. The inside electronic package includes a receive amplifier that amplifies RF signals that are received from the outside antenna via the through-the-window coaxial coupler and that provides the RF signals so amplified to the radiotelephone. In another embodiment, the inside electronic package may include a wireless transceiver and that wirelessly transmits and receives signals to and from a radiotelephone.

Abstract: Patch antenna systems for half-duplex communications which are capable of providing a positive gain, quasi-hemispherical antenna pattern over widely separated transmit and receive frequency bands. The antenna systems according to the present invention generally comprise a patch antenna, transmit and/or receive circuit branches for tuning the patch antenna to resonate in separate transmit and receive frequency bands, and disconnection means for electrically isolating the transmit circuit branch from the antenna during periods of reception and for electrically isolating the receive circuit branch from the antenna during periods of transmission. Matching means, which preferably are implemented as part of the transmit and receive circuit branches, may also be provided for increasing the operating bandwidth of the antenna in both the transmit and receive frequency bands.

Abstract: Physically small quadrifilar helix antenna systems capable of providing a positive gain, quasi-hemispherical antenna pattern over a relatively broadband frequency range in the L-Band frequency band. The antenna systems according to the present invention generally comprise a quadrifilar helix antenna and at least one antenna feed network, and may further comprise matching means for improving the broadband frequency performance of the antenna. In a preferred embodiment, the elements of the quadrifilar helix antenna which form each bifilar helix are short-circuited at their distal ends, and energy is fed to and induced from the antenna via receive and transmit 90.degree. hybrid couplers which are electrically connected to the bifilar loops of the quadrifilar helix antenna.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helix antenna system capable of providing a positive gain, quasi-hemispherical antenna pattern over widely separate transmit and receive frequency bands. This new antenna system comprises concentrically arranged, but electrically isolated, transmit and receive quadrifilar helix antennas, each of which comprises two bifilar helices arranged orthogonally and excited in phase quadrature. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna elements forming each bifilar helix are short-circuited at their distal ends, and energy is induced from the receive antenna and coupled to the transmit antenna via receive and transmit 90.degree. hybrid couplers which are electrically connected to the bifilar loops of the respective receive and transmit antennas. Also provided are switches or other disconnection means which are used to electrically isolate the transmit antenna during periods when the antenna is receiving a signal and to electrically isolate the receive antenna during periods of transmission.